While the UAE’s cities are no doubt beautiful (you can head over to @timeoutdubai and @timeoutabudhabi for all the evidence you could ever need), sometimes you just need to get out into nature.
Drive for just an hour or two from Dubai or Abu Dhabi and you’ll soon find yourself clambering through rugged mountains, kayaking along a dam or even taking a dip in a hot spring (though maybe not right now).
The scenery at these beauty spots is quite literally jaw-dropping, and you won’t be able to resist snapping a few pictures for the ‘gram.
Add these awesome destinations to your bucket list right now, and make sure you head out sooner rather than later – you won’t regret it.
Al Hayer Forest
A true hidden gem, Al Hayer Forest is a patch of several hundred trees tucked away in the desert between Dubai and Al Ain. This is a great spot for camping, particularly if you’re looking for shade from the overbearing summer sun.
GPS: 24.64522647575838, 55.78504916441817.
Al Rafisah Dam
The Hajar Mountains loom large over this dam, which was originally built in the 1980s. You can go kayaking on the calm waters, or explore the kilometre-long walkway around the dam and discover the recently restored Wadi Shea Fortress.
Khor Fakkan, Sharjah. GPS: 25.349098531664826, 56.31126938389657.
Fossil Rock
Hiking enthusiasts absolutely must check out Fossil Rock in Sharjah, which gained its name for the fossils, which date back 70 million years, embedded in the formations here (it’s quite a literal name…). The contrast between the burning orange sands and the rocks is beautiful, and the sights from the top are well worth the steps.
Mleiha, Sharjah. GPS: 25.1420409741543, 55.83379624227387.
Green Mubazzarah
Visitors to the UAE are probably more concerned about places to cool down rather than hot springs, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Green Mubazzarah in Al Ain. Located at the bottom of Jebel Hafeet, the landscape is covered in grassland, and feels like an oasis in the desert.
Al Ain. GPS: 24.105453989417622, 55.7491859.
Hatta Dam
Easily one of the most Instagrammed spots out of the city, Hatta Dam is unbelievably stunning. There are plenty of hiking trails through the mountains, including up to the iconic Hatta sign (Hollywood, eat your heart out), or you can head out on the water in a boat. If the views aren’t enough for you, you can also visit Hatta Wadi Hub for water slides and other fun activities.
Dubai. GPS: 24.784690498854793, 56.11380634772314.
Jebel Hafeet
Abu Dhabi’s highest mountain Jebel Hafeet towers 1,249m above sea level, and you can drive all the way to the top along the winding roads for spectacular views over the area. UNESCO World Heritage site Jebel Hafeet Desert Park lies at the bottom of the mountain and is home to neolithic tombs, which you explore with a guided hike. Click here for everything you need to know about this attraction.
Al Ain. GPS: 24.057282695913543, 55.777984907167365.
Jebel Jais
With an elevation of 1,934 m, Jebel Jais is the UAE’s highest peak, and an essential visit for hiking fans. Views from the top are breathtaking, and temperatures here are usually 10C cooler than the rest of the country – making it a welcome respite during the summer. Not satisfied just with hiking? Then you can also check out Jebel Jais Flight, the longest zipline in the world (click here for everything you need to know).
Ras Al Khaimah. GPS: 25.94483508163624, 56.14243262461735.
Jubail Mangrove Park
After opening in January 2020, Jubail Mangrove Park quickly became one of the top attractions in Abu Dhabi thanks to its gorgeous greenery. Visitors can kayak through the mangroves, or enjoy one of the three walkways through the area. Thinking of visiting? Read our ultimate guide by clicking here.
Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi. GPS: 24.545709501430988, 54.48542756671897
Khor Fakkan Waterfalls
The UAE is filled with surprises, and one of our favourites is the Khor Fakkan Waterfalls. Built next to the Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre, the 45m tall attraction has been carved into the natural rock and has viewing windows at the top. Soak up the views before soaking in the culture at a show (once coronavirus restrictions allow for it, of course).
Khor Fakkan, Sharjah. GPS: 25.367345746884883, 56.348169542025914.
Love Lakes
Another manmade attraction, the Love Lakes in Al Qudra have no doubt made it on to your Instagram feed plenty of times in the past. The interlocked heart-shaped lakes even have trees next to them that spell out ‘love’, and were unveiled by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai in 2018. There are jogging tracks here for those looking to stay active, and you can camp nearby, too.
Al Qudra, Dubai. GPS: 24.838759235141953, 55.40506148363732.
Mangrove Beach
Working on our tan is one of our favourite hobbies, but we’ll admit we’ve visited some beaches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi just a few too many times (cough, JBR beach, cough). So if you’re looking for a new spot, you can’t go far wrong with Mangrove Beach, which opened in December 2020 in Umm Al Quwain. As you might have guessed from the name, it is home to plenty of mangrove trees and is set to become a hot spot in no time at all.
Umm Al Quwain. GPS: 25.52840278438662, 55.58258524536412.
Masfout
Surrounded by the Hajar Mountains, the village of Masfout is popular among nature lovers looking to get out of the city. There are plenty of hiking and mountain biking routes in the area, and it’s not too far from Hatta, so you can combine days out if you want.
Ajman. GPS: 24.81979623896089, 56.09769655188091.
Mleiha
The Mleiha archaeological site in Sharjah is a real window into the past, with various tombs dating back to the Iron and Bronze Age. The visitors’ centre here is truly fabulous, and you’ll come away knowing plenty about the history of the UAE (yes, there’s more to it than just the discovery of oil). If you can’t tear yourself away, there’s also an option for overnight camping with stargazing.
Mleiha, Sharjah. GPS: 25.1266566893995, 55.857847799999995.
Moon Lake
The UAE really can’t get enough of shaped lakes, and you can probably guess what this new addition looks like. You’ll need a 4×4 to reach this spot, which is near the Love Lakes, but if you do make the drive you might be lucky enough to spot some Arabian oryx that have recently been introduced to the area.
Al Qudra, Dubai. GPS: 24.7874218, 55.3065662.
Wadi Ghalilah
Fair warning: Only experienced climbers should be attempting this climb near Jebel Jais. With great risk comes great reward, and the views from Wadi Ghalilah are no doubt jaw dropping.
Ras Al Khaimah. GPS: 25.98430684245669, 56.16747852470802.
Wadi Shawka
Looking for a significantly easier route to clamber around than Wadi Ghalilah? Then Wadi Shawka might just be for you. The loop around the Shawka Dam is around 10km, and you’ll have plenty of gorgeous mountain scenery to enjoy as you hike.
Ras Al Khaimah. GPS: 25.105086901545196, 56.046759497355694.
Wadi Shees
One of the few places in the UAE with fresh flowing water all year round, Wadi Shees is yet another oasis we think you should be exploring. The trail inside the park is more like a walk than a hike, and there are signs explaining points of interest along the way. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, there are also scenic trails in the Shees Valley.
Khor Fakkan, Sharjah. GPS: 25.29197854056671, 56.244552469318485.
